Elevator



21, 1936-. E'. JOHNSON 2,038,047 ELEVATOB Filed sept. 25', 1935 Edgar bak/wow Patented Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE ELEvA'roa dgar H. Johnson, Emory University, Ga. Application september 25, 1935, serial No'. 42,132

15 Claims. (ci. 251-131) My invention relates tolevers or elevators for use in assisting invalids or the like up nights of stairs.

Persons suffering with heart ailments and other diseases nd it very dangerous to walk up a flight of stairs due to the exertion required to raise themselves from step to step, and persons suffering from rheumatism or aiictions of the joints often find it very painful or impossible to climb a flight of stairs.

An important object of my invention vis to provide a device for lifting such invalids up a flight of stairs with no appreciable .exertion on the part of the invalid. y

Another object of my invention is the provision of a device of this character which is portable and which can be carried about to be used. whenever desired.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of this character which is adjustable as to length and which is of simple and inexpensive construction.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification and wherein like characters of reference denote like or corresponding parts throughout the same. f

Figure y1 is a perspective view showing my invention being used to raise an invalid up a flight of stairs,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of my invention, Figure 3 isa fragmentary sectional view showing the operation of this device,

Figure 4 is aperspective view of a portion of this device, and,

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a slightly modified construction. I In the dra-wing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of im] invention, the numeral I0 designates a flight of stairs having the usual banister or guard rail II. My elevator comprises a pair of spaced arms I2 preferably of metal having their ends turned up to form vertical end portions I3 which are in turn bent over at their tops to produce projecting stair tread engaging stubs I4 with rounded lower corners to serve as rockers. Rub- 5() ber, felt or other pads I5 are arranged over the y ends of stubs I4 which are offset continuations of arms I2, the amount of offset corresponding to the height of one step as seen in Figure 1. Where it is desired to form the end portions I3 55 of a length to correspond to the height of two steps, it is necessary to lengthen the stubs I4 to exceed the width of one step. In practice, however, the device shown in Figure 1 is found to be more convenient as it can be used to raise a person one or two steps at a time.

A bolt I6 connects the vertical end portions ,I3 adjacent the top thereof and nuts Il cooperate with fixed washers or other projections I8 to secure the end portions I3 in spaced relation. A similar spacing bolt I9'is arranged at the opposite 10 ends of the arms I2 and serves as a handle or grip for the operator.

A platform 20 which may be of wood or other suitable material is pivoted between the arms, I2 by means of a bolt 2| adjacent the vertical 15 end portions I3. A toe ca-p 22 is arranged on the platform 20 and is located adjacent the end porp tions I3. In order to make the length of the arms I2 adjustable, each of the arms may-be formed in two telescoping sections as indicated at 23 in 20 Figures 2, 4 and 5 and secured in adjusted positions by wing nuts or the like 24. When telescoping arms are used, they may be separated to shorten the length of the device in dismantled position. 25

In place of using two spaced arms I2, a single lever arm 25 may be used having a grip 26 and provided .at itsopposite end with a fork having spaced arms I2' for the reception of the platform 20, as indicated in Figure 5. The step engaging 30 end of the construction shown in Figure 5 is identical with that shown in the other figures.

In operation, the device is rested upon the floor with the stubs I4 resting upon the first step of the stairway in the position shown in Figure 3. 36 The invalid steps upon the platform 20, placing his or her foot within the toe cap 22, and grasps the banister, newel post o'r wall rail with one hand. The operator then grasps the handle I9 or 26 and raises the device until the stirrup or 40 platform 20 is' at the height of the rst step, as indicated in Figure 3, or 'until the platform is flush with the top of the second step. The invalid then steps horizontally from the platform 20 to the step with which it is aligned, and the process is 45 repeated until the invalid has reached the top of the stairway. In Figure 1 theinvalid is shown 'standing upon the platform preparatory to being raised to the level of one of the higher steps. The invalid is shown as having only one foot upon the platform. It is obvious that the platform may be made sumciently wide to accommodate both feet of the person being raised, if that is de- ,sired. Due to the leverage of the arms I2, the

invalid may be raised with no difficulty. The

weight of. the invalid maintains the platform in a horizontal position, and the invalids balance is maintained by his single hand hold upon the banister or Wall.

It will be seen that the person on the platform need only step horizontally from the stirrup 20 to the step, and that-no lifting exertion is required of him. In practice it has been found than an invalid may be raised two steps at a time with perfect ease. The leverage of the arms may be increased by lengthening the arms through the telescoping construction at 23.

The method of using the device is optional with the user. 'I'he invalid can readily balance himself with one hand. The operator can raise the device with one hand, or with two, and the leverage may be adjusted by means of the Wing nutsA 24 to accommodate the strength of the operator and the weight of the invalid.

It will be seen that- I have provided a device which may be used to readily raise a person up a flight of stairs with no lifting exertion on the part of the person being lifted and with no more effort than is required to walk on a horizontal floor. The device is of simple construction, is readily portable and may be shortened or dismantled for carrying from place to place.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described comprising an arm, a stair tread engaging member spaced above the arm at one end thereof, a platform secured to said arm adjacent the stair tread engaging member, and a handle at the other end of the ami.

2. A device of the character described compris-.- ing an arm, a rstair tread engaging member at one end of thearm, and a platform pivotally secured to the arm adjacent the stair tread engaging member.

3. A device of thek character described comprising an arm consisting of adjustable telescoping sections, a stair tread engaging portion at one end of the arm, and a platform pivotally secured to the arm. o

4. A device of the character described comprising an arm, a stair tread engaging member spaced above the arm at one -end thereof and adapted to operatively engage a stair tread, and a platform secured to the arm. c

5. A device of the character described comprising an arm having an upright arranged at one end thereof, a stair tread engaging member secured to said upright portion and spaced above the arm, and a platform secured to said arm adjacent the upright portion thereof.

6. A device of the character described comprising an arm consisting of adjustable telescoping sections, a handle secured to one end of the arm, a platform pivotally secured to the arm adjacent its other end, and a stair tread engaging member spaced above the platform end of the arm.

7. A device of the character described comprising an arm having a handle at one end and having its other end offset to form a stair tread 5 engaging member, a platform pivotally secured to said arm adjacent its offset end, nand a foot engaging member arranged on said platform.

8. A device of the character described comprising a pair of arms offset at one end to form 1c a stair tread engaging member, a platform secured to the arms adjacent their offset ends, and a handle member secured tothe other end of the arms.

9. A device of the character described com- 15 prising a pair of arms, a stair tread engaging member at one end of said arms, a platform piv= otally supported between the arms adjacent the stair tread'engaging end of the arms, and a handle member at the other end of the arms.

10. A device of the character described comprising a pair of spaced arms oifset at one end to form stair tread engaging members, a platform pivotally arranged between the arms adja= cent the offset ends thereof and having a foot '25 engaging member thereon, and a handle member secured to the opposite ends of the arms.

1l. A device of the character described comprising a pair of spaced arms consisting of ad justable telescoping sections, said arms being off- .30

set at one end to produce stair tread engaging members, a platform pivotally mounted between said arms adjacent the offset portion thereof, and a handle member arranged between the opposite ends of said arms.' A

12. A device of the characte'idescribed com- ,l prising an arm having a handle at oneend and having its other end forked, the forked ends of said arm being offset to form stair tread engaging members, and a platform secured between 40 the forked portions of the arm.

13. A device of the character described comprising an arm having a handle at one end and having its other end forked, the forked ends of said arm being odset to form stair tread engaging members, a platform pivotally secured between the forked portions of the arm, and a spaca ing member secured between the offset portions of the fork.

14. A device of the character described coxnprising a pair of arms, a stair tread engaging member at one end of said arms, a platform pivotally supported between the arms adjacent the stair tread engaging end of the arms, a handle member at the other end of the arms, and a spac- 

